Egyptian bishop eludes gunmen

An automobile occupied by the bishop of the Coptic Church in Minya, Egypt, and several companions came under gunfire on Monday. No one was hurt.

“We are all safe,” Bishop Makarios told Bishop Angaelos, general bishop of The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, according to a release from the UK church. “But it is unfortunate that this can happen during a time of healing. This is an indication that while steps are being taken towards reconciliation, there are those who still want to delay us.”

The UK church said the attack occurred at 7 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, as Makarios was on the way to the home of a family of a man who had been killed during the anti-Christian violence that erupted nationwide on Aug. 14.

The Assyrian International News Agency reported that the bishop’s driver was able to steer the car away from the gunfire and bring the occupants to the home of a Coptic family, where the bishop and the occupants took refuge. The assailants continued to fire on the house, AINA reported, for 90 minutes before police arrived.